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An Accra court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million to Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, the Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, with three sureties, one of whom must be justified.
Owusu Bempah is the fifth accused person in an ongoing case involving alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. He is standing trial alongside Akonta Mining, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as well as Kwame Antwi and Edward Akuoko.
Although Owusu Bempah was earlier reported to be at large, his lawyer, Andrew Vortia, told the media that his client voluntarily presented himself to the police about three weeks ago. He was subsequently granted police enquiry bail but was re-arrested on Monday, January 12, 2026, after failing to report as required.
Appearing before the court on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Owusu Bempah pleaded not guilty to charges of undertaking mining operations without a licence, abetting the unauthorised felling of trees, and abetting the unauthorised erection of structures within the forest reserve.
The prosecution maintains that while Akonta Mining holds valid mining concessions at Samreboi and Abekoase in the Western Region, these concessions are located outside the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. Prosecutors argue that the company’s application to mine within the reserve was rejected, yet illegal mining activities were allegedly carried out there.
According to investigators, Chairman Wontumi allegedly entered the forest reserve, felled trees, and erected structures without authorisation, despite the refusal of permission to mine in the area.
Three of the accused persons, including Chairman Wontumi and Edward Akuoko, the General Manager of Akonta Mining, were initially arrested and arraigned before the court. Kwame Antwi and Owusu Bempah were previously declared at large, though Owusu Bempah has since been arrested. Kwame Antwi remains at large.
In November 2025, the state informed the court of its decision to withdraw charges against Edward Akuoko and to use him as a prosecution witness. The prosecution has also indicated plans to amend the charge sheet to formally remove him as an accused person.
